8 Spooky New LGBTQ+ Books for Halloween
Get your kids (and yourself) ready for Halloween with these recent LGBTQ+-inclusive books for all ages about witches, vampires, werewolves, demons, and other spooky beings.
Picture Book
"I Am NOT A Vampire," by Miles McKenna, illustrated by Riley Samels (Little Bee): This tale by Goosebumps actor McKenna stars a young child whose family are vampires—but he doesn't feel very vampire-like. One night, however, he is transformed—and affirmed by his family in his new identity. The story, published in partnership with LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization GLAAD, could be read as a kind of queer allegory or as a more general one about self and acceptance. Either way, it carries a valuable message.
Chapter Books
"How to Win the Gruesome Games" (Villains Academy #3), by Ryan Hammond (Simon & Schuster): Werewolf Bram is back for his third adventure at the Villains Academy, where he and his friends are preparing for the Gruesome Games, "a field day for villains." With his two dads and the school's ghostly founders looking on, can Bram be bad enough to win in a game with no rules? The story is more silly than macabre; Bram is an engaging protagonist with a penchant for woolly sweaters, and other characters are amusingly over the top. We also get a sweet glimpse at how Bram's dads' relationship started.
"Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic" and "Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic"), by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Ariane Moreira (Random House): In this sweet new series, nonbinary witch-in-training Little Blue helps out their Mama Moon at the magical Witchycakes bakery. Each chapter takes Blue and their seagull familiar on a gentle adventure in their seaside town, where they use their magic to help neighbors (including one with two dads). Readers of many identities should enjoy the sweet series, although it may particularly resonate with nonbinary ones seeking tales with nonbinary protagonists that aren't "about" gender or being nonbinary.
"Cooking Contest!" (Batcat #3), by Meggie Ramm (Abrams): Batcat and ghost friend Al are back in the third volume of this delightful early reader graphic novel series. This time, Batcat and Al (who happen to be nonbinary) are looking forward to Spooky Isle's fall Night Festival. Al wants to win the cooking contest—if only they can decide on a recipe. The eating contest is more Batcat's style. In the end, the duo learn that there are many ways to win, and that having a friend is one of them. Ramm creates a perfect balance of spooky and adorable, seasoned with puns and charm.
Middle Grade
"Beetle & the Chimera Carnival," by Aliza Layne (Atheneum): In this graphic novel sequel to the Stonewall Award honoree "Beetle & the Hollowbones," goblin Beetle, skeleton Kat, and ghost Penny are getting ready for the Chimera Carnival, where giant dragons showcase their magic. But one dragon gets injured, others are disappearing, and Beetle's magic is changing her in strange ways. Kat's overbearing parents are back in town, too, with a bias against her and Beetle's burgeoning romance. Can the friends figure out what's happening to their town and their selves and set things right? Once again, Layne blends fun and original worldbuilding with relatable (albeit inhuman) characters. A thread about coming out both individually and as a couple is nicely integrated with the larger story.
"The Ink Witch," by Steph Cherrywell (Little, Brown): Bringing to mind classic tales from Ronald Dahl and Lemony Snicket, this uproarious tale is also sparklingly original. The story centers on a child at the brink of puberty who suddenly discovers she's a witch. But unlike the series-that-shall-not be-named, this one doesn't take place at a magical school—and its protagonist is a transgender girl. It's a chaotically exuberant adventure, with top-notch worldbuilding, hilarious dialogue, and quirky characters—but Cherrywell also thoughtfully explores the importance of being seen for oneself and forging one's own identity even while part of a group. Becca's transness is not the focus, but comes up in ways that feel authentic for the character. Cherrywell also gives us one of the strongest affirmations of chosen names I've ever seen, not simply asserting that we should respect them, but weaving their power into the plot itself.
"A World Worth Saving," by Kyle Lukoff (Dial): In this finalist for the National Book Award in Children's Literature, a Jewish, transgender boy tries to save the world from anti-trans demons. It's an exciting and cathartic adventure—but it's also a powerful story of transformation and human relationships by Newbery Award honoree Lukoff. Jewish values, traditions, and history underpin the story, but one doesn't have to be Jewish to appreciate the themes that Lukoff surfaces from his interpretation of Jewish texts and thought: the holy nature of being trans and the spiritual power of being oneself.
Grown-up
"Lessons in Magic and Disaster," by Charlie Jane Anders (Tor): Jamie is a graduate student in 18th-century literature and a trans woman. She's also secretly a witch, and decides to teach her mother Serena about magic in order help Serena move forward after the death of her wife, Jamie's other mom. But Jamie didn't predict the dangerous direction that Serena will take her newfound skill. To save them both, Jamie races to learn more about the nature of magic by unlocking clues hidden in a novel from 1749. Anders's writing is simultaneously erudite, hilarious, and revelatory, creating a story that is entertaining, thought-provoking, healing, and queer as heck (though definitely for adults).
Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a two-time GLAAD Media Award-winning blog for LGBTQ+ parents plus a searchable database of 1,900+ LGBTQ+ family books.